Hayley Matthews retains West Indies alive with slim win over Pakistan

West Indies 116 for six (Williams 30, Dar 2-13) beat Pakistan 113 for five (Riaz 29, Matthews 2-14) by three runs

Defending a modest 116 to keep away from elimination, West Indies have been in management by way of a disciplined bowling effort led by Matthews earlier than weathering a late Pakistan onslaught.

Pakistan’s probabilities of qualifying out of Group 2 took a serious hit forward of taking part in unbeaten England, who’ve certified for the semi-finals after this end result.

Dramatic remaining over

Even although Pakistan’s activity of hitting 18 runs within the final over appeared forlorn, their possibilities improved with West Indies solely allowed three fielders out of the circle owing to an over-rate penalty.

Sana revived Pakistan’s hope with a 4 off an outdoor edge from the primary ball earlier than Riaz hit consecutive boundaries off the third and fourth deliveries because the stress intensified on Connell. But she responded by bowling Riaz, who chopped onto the stumps, after which calmly delivered a full supply on leg stump to Omaima Sohail that went for a leg bye as West Indies survived.

But Matthews has a liking for bowling to Muneeba and nearly snared her first supply of the fourth over just for two fielders to drop an opportunity at backward level. However, she wasn’t to be denied and claimed Muneeba later within the over earlier than taking an athletic catch at quick midwicket to dismiss opener Sidra Ameen as West Indies gained a stranglehold.

A disciplined West Indies did not leak a boundary till the eighth over as they summoned vitality within the discipline that had been absent throughout their lacklustre begin to the event. Their sustained stress ensured Pakistan’s required run fee climbed uncontrolled, however West Indies needed to fend off a late problem led initially by skipper Bismah Maroof.

Matthews took issues into her personal palms and returned to the assault within the 18th over. Her loud lbw shout to Maroof was initially turned down however she efficiently reviewed to star for West Indies in a second straight sport.

Williams efficiently reviewed an lbw resolution within the second over off the bowling of Aiman Anwer after which countered the short’s makes an attempt at in-swing by standing out of her crease. But each openers have been unable to transform begins and West Indies struggled to speed up on a sluggish pitch.